Sensei's Daily Encouragement -27 August 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

            

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

August 27, 2018

 

The important thing is to keep working for kosen-rufu to the very end. On any journey, we cannot hope to reach our destination if we stop halfway. Likewise, if despite our good fortune in meeting and embarking on the unsurpassed way of Buddhism, we stop halfway, all the efforts we have made thus far will have been in vain, we will not be able to attain Buddhahood.

 

Events

1260 Matsubagayatsu Persecution. Incited by priests, Pure Land believers descend on the Daishonin's hermitage at Matsubagayatsu,Japan, to kill him. He is forced to flee for his life.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

August 27, 2018

 

Mugwort that grows in the midst of hemp or a snake inside a tube [will as a matter of course become straight], and those who associate with people of good character will consequently become upright in heart, deed and word. The Lotus Sutra exerts a similar influence. The Buddha will look upon one who simply puts faith in this sutra as a good person.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1128

The Bodies and Minds of Ordinary Beings

Recipient and date unknown

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

August 27, 2018

 

When we create or appreciate art, we set free the spirit trapped within. That is why art arouses such joy. Art - whether skillfully executed or not - is the emotion, the pleasure of expressing life as it is. Those who see art are moved by its passion and strength, its intensity and beauty. That is why it is impossible to separate life from art. Political and economic developments may seem to dominate the news, but culture and education are the forces that actually shape an age, since they transform the human heart.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 January 1955) p.214

 

The annual children's group meeting…

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. President Toda gave strict guidance to one couple who was late. Feel that this was only proper. Pained when I think of those who couldn't attend. Whenever people are enjoying themselves, others are definitely sad or lonely. Want never to forget this throughout my life. Want to be a man of fairness, that is, an ally to those who work behind the scenes, to those who are lonely, who are suffering.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -26 August 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

            

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

August 26, 2018

 

We accumulate great good fortune through our earnest prayers, devotion and efforts for the sake of Buddhism, kosen-rufu and humankind. Prayer without action is not the way of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

August 26, 2018

 

It is easy to sustain our concern for someone who is before our very eyes, but quite a different thing when that person is far away, even though in our heart we may not forget him. Nevertheless, in the five years . . . that have already passed since I came to live here in the mountains, you have sent your husband from the province of Sado to visit me three times. How great is your sincerity! It is firmer than the great earth, deeper than the great sea!

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 933

The Sutra of True Requital

Written to the lay nun Sennichi on July 28, 1278

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

August 26, 2018

 

There is no trace of coercion or concern for appearances in Nichiren's behaviour. He looked on those who were suffering, those who were bravely fighting alongside him, as if they were himself in the same situations. He prized each and every one of them. He encouraged them and sympathized with them, and we must never forget that the true essence of humanity is to be found in this. When we observe Nichiren's actions, we are deeply struck by the conviction that this is the way a Buddhist must live.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 January 1955) p.213

 

The members are young; vigorous. The nature of the Gakkai is eternal. We are inexperienced, but the elements necessary to complete our great task lie far beyond mere experience. Daringly and courageously we cast off the old and open the way for the new.

 

Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, "Good advice grates on the ear."

- "The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood"

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -25 August 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

            

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

August 25, 2018

 

Life flashes by in an instant. By devoting our lives to Buddhism, we will live a life of complete fulfillment. We are selling ourselves short if we fail to attain such a wonderful state of life.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

August 25, 2018

 

This Gohonzon is the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all the scriptures. It is like the sun and moon in the heavens, a great ruler on earth, the heart in a human being, the wish-granting jewel among treasures and the pillar of a house. When we have this mandala with us, it is a rule that all Buddhas and gods will gather round and watch over us, protecting us like a shadow day and night, just as warriors guard their ruler, as parents love their children, as fish rely on water, as trees and plants crave rain, or as birds depend on trees.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 624

On Upholding Faith in the Gohonzon

Written to the lay nun Myoshin on August 25, 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

August 25, 2018

 

One of the fascinating things about human beings is this: Believe for long enough that you are not as smart as others and this will actually lead to intellectual ineptitude. But, confronted with the same doubts, if you choose to believe that your mind is merely dormant for now, lacking in exercise, once you begin to train it, there are no bounds to what you can achieve.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (31 December 1954) p.207

 

Sensei reminisced about his childhood, his youth and his adulthood. He has led a tumultuous life. There have been many great individuals and many pioneers. Absolutely no one but President Toda, however, stands by the common people and inspires youth to construct a new era. Without power, wealth, background or status, all he possesses is the raw power of humanity, the power of faith gushing forth from his entire being, and the wisdom to see ten years, no, two hundred years into the future. Had profound thoughts.